Football in Nepal

Last updated

Football in Nepal
Dasharath stadium of Kathmandu 3 23 27 824000 PM.jpeg
CountryNepal
Governing body All Nepal Football Association
National team(s) Men's
Women's
Nickname(s)The Gorkhalis
First played1972
Club competitions
List
International competitions


Association football is one of the most popular sports in Nepal. It is governed by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), which oversees the men's and women's national teams as well as club competitions. The present acting president of ANFA is Karma Kshiring Sherpa. The current top domestic league is the Martyr's Memorial A Division league. The Nepal national football team represents Nepal in all international competitions. [1] [2]

Contents

The 36 district-level FAs, various corporations and local government bodies provide most of the assistance that comes ANFA's way, helping Nepalese football's governing body to organise nationwide tournaments all year round for senior clubs and different age groups, thereby maintaining football's position as the number one sport. ANFA recently introduced an annual football calendar, with tournaments for the first division clubs, as well as for the U-19, U-17 and U-14 youth teams. The number of football tournaments in Nepal has always surpassed the number of events for other sports. For the 2003-2004 season, ANFA organised 24 tournaments across the country and prepared the national and youth teams that took part in the World Cup qualifying matches and the Asian Youth Championship. In this season's final tournament, 425 clubs, mostly amateur, participated in the Khukuri Cup at district, regional and senior level. Almost 8,000 players, half of whom were registered, played in the nationwide tournament in the space of two.

Nepal has been a major participant in South Asian competitions. However, Nepal in Asian football stage has been a much weaker and less successful national team, having never qualified for the AFC Asian Cup and often fell short in the FIFA World Cup qualification.

History

The entry and initial start up of football in Nepal was during the Rana regime in 1921. The game was introduced in Nepal by young players who had learnt it from other countries. This game was watched by a huge audience and became very famous at that time. However, it is believed that the pioneer of this game in Nepal was Mr. Narayan Narshingh Rana of Thamel and Chandrajung Thapa of Naxal. There were some places, which were used as football ground for palace teams, such as Sujan Khanal and Mrigendra Shamsher Niwas Babar Mahal, Mahabir Niwas Tangal Durbar, Nar Shumsher Niwas Singha Durbar, Rudra Shamsher Niwas Bahadur Bhawan, and Thamel Narsingh camp. Whereas in the decade of 30s, both local and palace teams commonly used the grounds of Singh Darbar, Chhauni, Gaucharan, Jawalakhel and Lainchaur for playing football. Despite political instability at that time football was played enthusiastically during 1921 to 1990 by various teams often without a goal post, but the criterion was that the opponent team could follow the ball to the goal line. Sometimes, they used to play football on the bet of 100/200-castrated goat.[ citation needed ]

The teams like Mahabir-11, N R T-11, Jawalakhel-11, Public Institute-11 etc. were established in 1934. The football tournament was organized for the first time in an institutional way in 1934, in which 12 teams participated. In that tournament, the team of Jawalakhel club led by Nar Shumsher had secured first position. At that time, the chief of Public team Mr. Najarman Singh told that his team had got support and encouragement from Trichandra campus and audience.

Although that tournament was a grand success, due to various reasons the government decreed to ban the game but yet it was played inside and outside the palace in secret way. The game was played very enthusiastically due to which the number of participants increased drastically and hence complaints about banning the game were sent to the palace. The advisor Mr. Rishikesh Shaha had advised that the organization should solve the problem of game themselves, which was very popular western democratic tradition. Shri 3 Padma Shumsher decreed to follow it and accordingly a football committee was formed under the president of Lt.-Gen.Madan Shumsher JBR at first time in 1947 and members were Mr. Basant Shamsher and Mr. Mrigendra Shumsher.

In 1947, Tribhuvan Challenge Shield was introduced by late King Tribhuvan for the development of this football game which was organized at Tudikhel in front of Haribhavan. In that tournament Naresh-11 team led by Nar Shumsher secured first position and N. R. T. team secured second position. In the same year Maharaja Prime Minister Padma Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana introduced "Ramjanaki cup" which was continuously won thrice by Police Force team. The same cup was again introduced but was renamed as Marty's Memorial League football and hence League matches were introduced in Nepal.

In the year 1947, nationwide rebellion for Democracy started which led to a break in football for quite a time but after the success of the tournament the interest of public in football was again the same. Thus for establishing football in an organized way in Nepal, football association was established in the year 1951 The first Chairman of the association was General Nar Shumsher J. B. R. Similarly, the secretary Dr. Trailokya Nath Upreti and Janaki Prasad were elected as treasurer. This football association used to organize football in a regular way in front of Billiard Hall of Singh Durbar in ground making Parafeet.

In the year 1951, Tribhuvan Challenge Shield knock-out football tournament was organized in which the team of Jaleshwor-11 won the shield. Police force team secured 1st position and N. R. T. second in the Marty's Memorial League tournament organized in the same year. Balsakha Dal introduced a new shield called Devi Maya Memorial Shield in the year 1952 and in 1953 Sankata Boys Sports team won the shield. Other tournaments of football were played in Singh Durbar itself up to the year 1953 Although the construction of Dasarath Stadium had started just before the coronation of King Mahendra but a football match was played there, too, on the occasion of coronation of King Mahendra.

After the construction of Dasarath Stadium football matches were played there regularly since 1959. In the year 1959 a memorable event of a football match between the teams King-11 and Prime Minister-11 which was charity match held at Dasarath Stadium. In that match Late King Mahendra had played in the team King-11 and the then first elected Prime Minister B. P. Koirala played for the Prime minister-11 team. Similarly from the year 1961, Mahendra Goldcup football tournament has been being organized in Biratnagar.

After that, from the year 1968 Nar Trophy Football tournament was introduced on the name of the president of Nepal Football Association Mr. Mar Shumsher Rana with the view of respecting him who had contributed a lot in the development of football game. In order to respect the player who contributed to develop the standard of football the title of Best player was introduced in 1968 by football association and the Best Player was awarded with a gold medal. The title of Best Player and the gold medal were won by Baburam Pun whereas in 1978 Ganesh Thapa got the same. Similarly in the year 1981 and 1982 Rupak Raj Sharma and Suresh Panthi got the title and the medal respectively. Hence, total four players got the title of Best Player and the gold medal.

Due to various reasons, football game was not organized in a regular manner at that time and hence the Football association was re-established by National Games association in 1973 and Federation of Nepal football association was established. First of all, the Federation of Nepal Football Association had been continuing the League-cum Knockout Birthday Anniversary Football Tournament on the occasion of birthday of H. M. King since 1973 and other tournaments also in regular and organized way.

Although Nepal had been playing football with the teams of various neighboring countries and friendly countries but the necessity to invite countries for competitive matches in Nepal was realized only in 1979 and hence ANFA cup football match was introduced. In the first match of ANFA cup Kathmandu-11 team was the winner which was held in Chaitra. In order to encourage young players Federation of Nepal Football Association started ANFA President shield in the year 1981 in which Three Star club secured the first position.

The year 1982 was even more important for the development of football. In that year 23rd Asian youth football tournament (group 1) was organized for the first time in Nepal in which the teams of Nepal, India, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arab, Oman, Bahrain, Yemen A. R., Pakistan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Yemen P. D. R. and Syria had participated. Hence, there were altogether 13 different participating countries.

With the view of promoting football throughout the country, A.N.F. Association started organizing football matches from 1982 in four development regions in next year. With the view of developing the standard of football it was realized that training about football game was needed and hence a training program was organized in 1982 from 17th Bhadra to 29th Bhadra named International Olympic Sole Directive football training. In this training 25 students were trained by the trainers of FIFA. In the year 2003, for the first time Women's football tournament was organized from 5th Bhadra to 11th Bhadra.

In 1970, Nepal became a member of FIFA. And hence football in Nepal can be divided into three stages. The first stage was from 1977 to 1983 when football was first introduced to Nepal and was played for entertainment. The second stage was from 1947 to 1973, which was regarded as a revolutionary stage in the history of football in Nepal. And the third stage is regarded from the year 1973 till now when the sport has been improved, modernized, commercialized and even Nepali players have been able to occupy a place in International football standards.

National team

National teams of Nepal

[ check quotation syntax ]

Football pictogram.svg Football pictogram.svg Football pictogram.svg Football pictogram.svg
Football (Men's) Football (Women's) Football U-23 (men's) (Olympic team) Football U-20 (men's)
Football pictogram.svg Football pictogram.svg Football pictogram.svg Futsal pictogram.svg
Football U-17 (men's) Football U-20 (women's) Football U-17 (women's) Futsal (men's)
Futsal pictogram.svg Beach soccer pictogram.svg Controller.svg
Futsal (women's) Beach soccer (men's) Esports

The Nepal national football team is governed by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and is a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Since 1972, the ANFA has been affiliated with FIFA, the international governing body for world football. In 1954, the ANFA became one of the founding members of the AFC. ANFA also became member of SAFF in 1997. There are other Nepalese national teams, such as the under-23 team, under-20 team and the under-17 team.

Football stadiums

#ImageStadiumLocationCurrent CapacitySportTenantsYear BuiltRef.
1 Pokhara Stadium 2022.jpg Pokhara Rangasala Pokhara, Gandaki 16,500Football Nepal national football team and Pokhara Thunders 2004 [3]
2 Dasharath stadium of Kathmandu 3 23 27 824000 PM.jpeg Dasharath Rangasala Tripureshwor, Kathmandu 15,000Football Boys Union Club, Brigade Boys Club, Himalayan Sherpa Club, Kathmandu Rayzrs FC, Machhindra FC and NRT 1956 [4] [5]
3 Narayani Stadium.jpg Narayani Stadium Birgunj, Parsa 15,000Football FC Chitwan 1981 [6]
4 Sahid Rangasala-.jpg Sahid Rangasala Biratnagar, Morang 15,000Football Biratnagar City FC and Morang XI 1969 [7]
5Karnali Province Stadium Surkhet, Karnali 15,000Football2021
6 Chyasal Stadium Chyasal, Lalitpur 10,000Football Chyasal Youth Club and Lalitpur City FC 2002 [8]
7 Dhangadhi Stadium Dhangadhi, Sudurpashchim 10,000Football Dhangadhi FC [9]
8Nepalgunj Rangasala Nepalgunj, Lumbini 10,000Football
9ANFA Technical Center Butwal, Lumbini 5,000Football Butwal Lumbini FC
10 ANFA Complex Lalitpur 6,000Football ANFA 1999 [10]
11 SAFF Championship 2013 (3).JPG Halchowk Stadium Kathmandu, Bagmati 3,500Football APF Club [11]
12Beljhundi Mini Stadium Dang, Lumbini 3,000Football
13Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium Birtamod, Koshi 1,000Football Jhapa XI

League system

Status evolution

Professional leagues
Amateur/Semi-professional leagues
YearFranchise Top TierTier 1Tier 2Tier 3Tier 4 and below
1954/55 -2003/04 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Different State Cups (without top divisions)
2003/04-2021 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Martyr's Memorial B-Division League Martyr's Memorial C-Division League Different State Cups (without top divisions) (without top divisions)
2021–2024 Nepal Super League Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Martyr's Memorial B-Division League Martyr's Memorial C-Division League Different State Leagues (without top divisions)

Cup competitions

Major Cups

The following tournaments were sanctioned by the All Nepal Football Association for 2019. [12]

TournamentCityDistrictProvince
Shahid Bhim Narayan Gold Cup Dhankuta Dhankuta Koshi Province
Mai Valley Gold Cup Ilam Ilam
Jhapa Gold Cup Birtamod Jhapa
Damak Gold Cup Damak
Dhailadubba Gold Cup Kankai
Mechinagar Gold Cup Mechinagar
Birat Gold Cup Biratnagar Morang
Falgunanda Gold Cup Phidim Panchthar
Budha Subba Gold Cup Dharan Sunsari
Manmohan Duhabi Gold Cup Duhabi
Madan Bhandari Invitational Itahari Gold Cup Itahari
Udayapur Gold Cup Gaighat Udayapur
Taplejung Gold Cup Phungling Taplejung
Simara Gold Cup Jitpur Simara Bara Madhesh Province
Bishal Memorial Gold Cup Birgunj Parsa
Rajashree Janak Gold Cup Lalbandi Sarlahi
Bikash Shield Football Tournament Bharatpur Chitwan Bagmati Province
Hetauda Gold Cup Hetauda Makawanpur
Kavre Gold Cup Dhulikhel Kavrepalanchok
Nuwakot Gold Cup Bidur Nuwakot
Sindhu Cup Lamosangu Sindhupalchowk
Aaha Rara Gold Cup Pokhara Kaski Gandaki Province
Pokhara International Football Tournament
Nepalgunj Gold Cup Nepalgunj Banke Karnali Province
Tilottama Gold Cup Butwal Rupandehi
Suduspaschim Khaptad Gold Cup Dhangadhi Kailali Sudurpashchim Province

Other Cups

*Founded in 1974 to commemorate the 29th birthday of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah.
**Founded in 1948 by King Tribhuvan.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nepal national football team</span> Mens association football team

The Nepal national football team represents Nepal in International men's football, and is governed by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). A member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Nepali football team plays their home games at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 AFC Challenge Cup</span> International football competition

The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup was the fourth edition of the tournament, an international football competition for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member nations that are mainly categorized as "emerging countries" in the defunct Vision Asia programme. It took place in Nepal from 8–19 March 2012. Unlike in previous editions of the tournament, there were no automatic qualifiers. Therefore, 2010 champions North Korea, runners-up Turkmenistan, and third-placed Tajikistan had to navigate the qualification phase in order to return to the finals. North Korea successfully defended their title and qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 Dasharath Stadium disaster</span>

The Dasharath Stadium Disaster occurred on 12 March 1988 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal during a football match between the Janakpur Cigarette Factory and Bangladeshi side Muktijoddha Sangsad KC for the 1988 Tribhuvan Challenge Shield. 93 people were killed and 100 more were injured in a stampede when spectators trying to flee from a hailstorm rushed to the locked doors of the stadium. The Dasharath Stadium disaster was the 9th biggest stadium disaster until 2006 and the worst stadium disaster in Nepal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nepal women's national football team</span> Womens national association football team representing Nepal

The Nepal women's national football team is controlled by the All Nepal Football Association and represents Nepal in international women's football competitions. The Women's Football Department has been developed to control and manage the women's football activities. The official motto of women's football in Nepal is "Football for Change". It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and the South Asian Football Federation and has yet to qualify for the World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pokhara Rangasala</span> Multi-purpose stadium in Nepal

The Pokhara Rangasala is a multi-purpose stadium in Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal. It has a capacity of 18,500 spectators. The venue is located to the south of Pokhara at Rambazaar on the eastern bank of Seti river.

The 2013 AFC President's Cup was the ninth edition of the AFC President's Cup, a football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for clubs from "emerging countries" in Asia. Istiqlol were the defending champions, but did not enter the tournament as teams from Tajikistan no longer entered the AFC President's Cup.

The 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification phase determined the teams which advanced to the final tournament. The qualification draw was held on 11 December 2012, in AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 SAFF Championship</span> International football competition

The 2013 South Asian Football Federation Championship, commonly referred to as 2013 SAFF Championship, was the 10th SAFF Championship for men's national football teams organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The tournament took place from 31 August to 11 September 2013, and was hosted by Nepal for the second time, with the previous being in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bimal Gharti Magar</span> Nepalese footballer

Bimal Gharti Magar is a Nepalese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Machhindra and the retired Nepal national team. Bimal is the product of Central ANFA Academy, which is controlled by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). Bimal is also the sixth youngest male scorer and international debutant in the world, making him the youngest Nepalese player to debut and score for the Nepal national team.

The Nepal national under-17 football team is the under-17 football team of Nepal. The team is controlled by the All Nepal Football Association and is a member of the Asian Football Confederation.

Nepal national under-23 football team, also known as Nepal under-23s or Nepal U23(s), represents Nepal in association football at national and Olympic games and is controlled by ANFA, the governing body for football in Nepal, and the Nepal Olympic Committee.

The Tribhuvan Challenge Shield is Nepal's second oldest association football tournament, founded in 1948 by King Tribhuvan.

The ANFA Cup refers to a series of invitational association football knockout tournaments organised by the All Nepal Football Association. Both National football teams as well as football clubs participated in the past.

2014 ANFA Cup is a knock-out tournament organized by the All Nepal Football Association. All matches was played at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. 8 teams participated in the tournament. Jhapa XI lifted the title after defeating Sankata Boys SC in the finals.

The 1999 ANFA National League Cup was a domestic cup association football competition organised by the All Nepal Football Association. It was held on 20 November to 30 November 1999, and was called the 1999 ANFA Coca-Cola National League Cup for sponsorship reasons.

2009 ANFA Cup, marketed as Prime Minister's Invitational Tournament, the thirteenth version of the ANFA Cup, a knock-out football tournament organized by the All Nepal Football Association. All matches were played at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. Six teams participated in the tournament.

The 2000 ANFA Cup, marketed as ANFA Coca Cola Invitational Tournament, the twelfth version of the ANFA Cup, a knock-out football tournament organized by the All Nepal Football Association. All matches were played at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. Six teams participated in the tournament.

The 2021 Three Nations Cup was a friendly international association football tournament organised and control by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nepal Super League</span> Professional football league in Nepal

The Nepal Super League is Nepal's first professional franchise-based football league organised by Nepal Sports and Events Management (NSEM) with technical support of ANFA.

References

  1. "Game on in Nepal: soccer and scenery collide". The Independent . Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  2. "Goals for a lifetime: grassroots football in Nepal". thenational.ae. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  3. "Pokhara Rangasala Stadium". goalzz.com. 26 February 2022.
  4. "Dasarath Rangasala Stadium (Dasharath Rangashala Stadium)". stadiumdb.com. 26 February 2022.
  5. "Dasarath Rangasala Stadium Guide". worldstadia.com.
  6. "Narayani Stadium". goalzz.com. 26 February 2022.
  7. "Sahid Rangasala Stadium". goalzz.com. 26 February 2022.
  8. "Chyasal Stadium is almost ready to play". goalnepal.com. 22 May 2021.
  9. "Dhangadi Stadium". goalnepal.com. 26 February 2022.
  10. "ANFA Complex". goalzz.com. 26 February 2022.
  11. "Halchowk Stadium". national-football-teams.com. 26 February 2022.
  12. "Action Packed 5-month long Gold Cups; ANFA Sanctions 23 Gold Cups !!". GoalNepal. Retrieved 2019-02-21.

Further reading